Flat-tail horned lizard
A species of Horned lizards Scientific name : Phrynosoma mcallii Genus : Horned lizards
Flat-tail horned lizard, A species of Horned lizards
Scientific name: Phrynosoma mcallii
Genus: Horned lizards
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Pacific Southwest Region USFWS , used under PUBLIC-DOMAIN /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The flat-tail horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii) is a species of reptile of the Sonoran desert of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Its multiple adaptations for camouflage help to minimize its shadow. The species is threatened, with a restricted range under pressure from human activities such as agriculture and development, and is specially protected in the United States.
General Info
Lifespan
5-8 years
Diet
Flat-tail horned lizard primarily subsists on a diet rich in arthropods. It exhibits a predilection for ants, but also routinely consumes beetles, spiders, and other smaller insects, showcasing a broad dietary range.
Appearance
Flat-tail horned lizard is a small, flat-bodied lizard with rough, sandpaper-like skin. Its color ranges from light grey to sandy brown, often exhibiting a pattern of spots or blotches. The prominent feature is a crown of enlarged, spiny scales on its back, complemented by two rows of fringe scales along its sides. Its sexes are similar, but males have an additional patch of post-anal scales.
Behavior
Flat-tail horned lizard is a solitary creature, navigating harsh desert conditions with a unique defense mechanism: by inflating their bodies and presenting their broad, spiked backs to potential predators. Primarily insectivorous, flat-tail horned lizard forage during cooler daytime conditions and retreat to burrowed shelters during extreme heat. Flat-tail horned lizard doesn't display strong territorial behavior.
Population
Decreasing
Photo By Pacific Southwest Region USFWS , used under PUBLIC-DOMAIN /Cropped and compressed from original 
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
North american spiny lizards Genus
Horned lizards Species
Flat-tail horned lizard 
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